CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man today admitted his role in distributing images of child sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Carlos Santiago-Gomez, 29, of Absecon, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle in Camden federal court to one count of distributing images of child pornography and was detained without bail.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On March 27, 2018, law enforcement officers from the FBI’s Atlantic City Child Exploitation Task Force executed a search warrant at Santiago-Gomez’s residence in Absecon, New Jersey, and seized multiple items of digital evidence, including cell phones, CD discs, thumb drives, hard drives and computers, which contained thousands of images of child sexual abuse. Agents also located evidence showing that in July and August 2017, Santiago-Gomez posted videos of child sexual abuse on at least two KIK instant message groups, while also acting as the administrator of one of those groups.

The count of distribution of child pornography is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2019.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the N.J. State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner; the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Scheffler; and N.J. Human Services Police, under the direction of Director Timothy J. Gallagher, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Carrig of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.